"There are things happening in the background" - Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal are in talks to sell 23-year-old star 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the Gunners are in talks to sell Emile Smith Rowe. The 23-year-old midfielder didn't feature for his boyhood club in their pre-season friendly against AFC Bournemouth on Thursday, July 25.

The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes but the Gunners won 5-4 on penalties. Smith Rowe was named on the bench by Arteta but remained an unused substitute even though the manager made 10 changes.

While explaining why Smith Rowe didn't play, Arteta admitted that the player was on his way out of the club. In his post-match press conference, the Arsenal manager said (via Football.London):

"There are things happening in the background so we felt it was best not to use him."

Smith Rowe has been heavily linked with a move away from the Emirates in recent months following his struggles for game time in the last two seasons. He has played just 671 minutes of first-team football over the last couple of seasons.

Smith Rowe showed plenty of promise in his early days. However, several injuries made him fall down the pecking order at Arsenal.

The creative midfielder has made 115 appearances across competitions for the Gunners, scoring 18 goals and producing 13 assists. As reported by Metro, Arsenal are close to agreeing to a £35 million deal with Fulham for the Hale End graduate.

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Pundit names two players who could cost Arsenal the Premier League title

Pundit Shaka Hislop has claimed that the Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus duo could cost Arsenal in their pursuit of the Premier League title. The Gunners finished second in the Premier League in the last two seasons.

One of the reasons why Mikel Arteta's side finished short both times was their lack of proficiency in front of goal. Jesus scored just four league goals while Havertz scored 13, thanks to his excellent form in the latter stages of the season.

Hislop doubts whether the Gunners' striking options are good enough to fire them to Premier League glory. He told ESPN, via HITC:

"It really comes down to Arsenal's attacking options. While Havertz popped up at times, popped up at key moments in key games with goals, I am just not sold on Havertz as a striker to lead a team to win the Premier League."

About Jesus, he added:

"I feel the same about Gabriel Jesus, who I thought started wonderfully well when he first joined Arsenal. But because of injuries it waned. There is still that department to be addressed. Mikel Arteta is right, margins are really thin, especially when you consider just how good Manchester City continue to be."

Mikel Arteta looks desperate to strengthen his side in the summer having already completed the permanent signing of David Raya. They are also close to landing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna as per reports.